Yes, partly. In Maryland only the first named insured can waive personal injury protection, and only in writing on the state's required form. The waiver, called limited PIP, applies to the named insured, every listed driver and household family members 16 or older. A few people who meet narrow conditions can reject PIP entirely.
Personal injury protection pays without regard to fault. On the Maryland Insurance Administration's required notice form, full PIP has a $2,500 minimum, and you can buy more. It covers reasonable and necessary medical expenses incurred within three years of the injury, 85% of actual lost wages, or, for someone not employed, the reasonable cost of essential services they would have provided for the household. It covers you and family members living with you, anyone injured in your car and pedestrians your car injures.
Under Maryland Insurance Article Section 19-506, only the first named insured can waive PIP, and it must be an affirmative written waiver on the form the Commissioner requires. Before the waiver counts, the insurer has to give written notice of the nature, extent and cost of the coverage. If you don't sign a waiver, and you aren't eligible to reject PIP, you automatically get full PIP.
The form calls this option limited PIP. It waives PIP for the named insured, all listed drivers on the policy, and family members 16 or older who live in your household. The form explains that choosing it generally prevents the named insured from collecting PIP under any Maryland auto policy, with narrow exceptions. It also states that the waiver doesn't affect the rights of others, such as pedestrians or minor children, to collect PIP under your policy.
Full rejection is a separate, narrower option. The Administration says certain people who meet specific conditions may be permitted to reject all PIP coverage. Ask before assuming you qualify.
Waiving PIP lowers the premium, and some people with strong health insurance choose it. The Administration cautions that PIP also pays lost wages and household members' medical expenses that health plans don't, and that it pays promptly. An insurer can't refuse to write you because you won't waive PIP.
We're licensed in Maryland and can price full PIP, limited PIP and higher PIP limits side by side so you can see the real difference.
Every situation is a little different. If you want someone to look at your own policy, call us at (910) 791-1011 or start a quote online. We're an independent, family-owned company founded in 1977, with eight offices in North Carolina, and we're licensed in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Maryland.
This page is general information, not a coverage determination or legal advice. Policies, rules and availability vary and change. Review your own policy or talk to your advisor.